27 November 2006
The Gift of Open Source
Looking for something to buy that technophile in your life for Christmas? How about the gift of open source.
Make magazine has a list of open source gifts that many technical people would love along with those children who like taking things apart to learn how they work. They can put them together and make them work instead of being destructive.
One of the items in the list is a set of circuit boards and electronic parts to make different items to work with your computer.
Of course the Qtopia Greenphone is included. What can be better than a mobile phone that you can mod and add software to?
Ubuntu is included in the list too, which is expected with the amount of press that it has been receiving. I still have the opinion that it is for beginners in the Unix/Linux community and for anyone else it isn't so adequate, but I know there are those who disagree with me there. I would put any version of Linux in the list. It is a lot easier to use nowadays and it is an OS that anyone can use if they have any understanding or interest in computers.
For the person who's not so interested in computers, but likes to do work in their garage, there is the multimachine open source machining tool. For about $100 a person can build an all-in-one machine to cover all of their metal-working needs.
For those who want to link their computer and entertainment system there is the NEUROS OSD which will allow users to record video on their computer or view computer generated shows on their televisions and play MP3s on their home stereo system.
An open source wireless router and MP3 player are also included in the list.
The strangest item is a digital board for viewing brainwave activity through an EEG at home. It does come with many warnings about the possible dangers and almost takes the fun out of trying such a thing, almost.
There is also the open source home automation software for those who want to control their house from their computer. Admit it, it has crossed your mind on several occasions.
Another strange item is a fuel injection system for your car. I'm one to feel quite happy with the system that came with the car, but then again maybe with some tweaks to the system you can get even more fuel efficiency from your car, which no one would pass up with the rising costs of fuel.
And of course we can't forget the open source eye tracking hardware. Not only does it follow your eyes, but it also points a camera at where your eyes are looking. This might be more interesting for your significant other than you may realize - control those eyes.
There are many other open source items listed, but you'll have to read those for yourself. The geek in you will be very impressed.
Make magazine has a list of open source gifts that many technical people would love along with those children who like taking things apart to learn how they work. They can put them together and make them work instead of being destructive.
One of the items in the list is a set of circuit boards and electronic parts to make different items to work with your computer.
Of course the Qtopia Greenphone is included. What can be better than a mobile phone that you can mod and add software to?
Ubuntu is included in the list too, which is expected with the amount of press that it has been receiving. I still have the opinion that it is for beginners in the Unix/Linux community and for anyone else it isn't so adequate, but I know there are those who disagree with me there. I would put any version of Linux in the list. It is a lot easier to use nowadays and it is an OS that anyone can use if they have any understanding or interest in computers.
For the person who's not so interested in computers, but likes to do work in their garage, there is the multimachine open source machining tool. For about $100 a person can build an all-in-one machine to cover all of their metal-working needs.
For those who want to link their computer and entertainment system there is the NEUROS OSD which will allow users to record video on their computer or view computer generated shows on their televisions and play MP3s on their home stereo system.
An open source wireless router and MP3 player are also included in the list.
The strangest item is a digital board for viewing brainwave activity through an EEG at home. It does come with many warnings about the possible dangers and almost takes the fun out of trying such a thing, almost.
There is also the open source home automation software for those who want to control their house from their computer. Admit it, it has crossed your mind on several occasions.
Another strange item is a fuel injection system for your car. I'm one to feel quite happy with the system that came with the car, but then again maybe with some tweaks to the system you can get even more fuel efficiency from your car, which no one would pass up with the rising costs of fuel.
And of course we can't forget the open source eye tracking hardware. Not only does it follow your eyes, but it also points a camera at where your eyes are looking. This might be more interesting for your significant other than you may realize - control those eyes.
There are many other open source items listed, but you'll have to read those for yourself. The geek in you will be very impressed.
Labels: christmas, linux, os, OSS
